Risperidone - A review of its use in the treatment of bipolar mania

Risperidone (Risperdal (R)) is an atypical antipsychotic with high affinity for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(2A), dopainine D2 and alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors. Risperidone is now approved in the UK and the US for use in bipolar mania. Risperidone <= 6 mg/day, as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy with first-line mood stabilisers, significantly improves moderate and severe bipolar mania and improves global functioning over 3 weeks. Improvements in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) scores in double-blind trials were greater with risperidone than with placebo over 3 weeks. and similar to those with haloperidol over 3 and 12 weeks. Risperidone was reasonably well tolerated. Limited data are available on the combination of risperidone and carbamazepine, Risperidone. is monotherapy or combined therapy with lithium or valproate semisodium, is an effective treatment option in bipolar mania.